NEW YORK, Oct 19, (Agencies): New York City authorities are on the lookout for a suspect involved in a distressing incident where a woman was allegedly pushed from a subway platform in Manhattan. The incident occurred at the 53rd Street/Fifth Avenue subway station during midday on Wednesday.

According to an NYPD spokesperson, the victim, a 30-year-old woman, was pushed onto the tracks of a southbound E train while either heading to or from her workplace. As a result of the incident, the subway station was temporarily closed, leading to service disruptions.

The victim, who remains unidentified, is currently in critical condition and has been admitted to Cornell Medical Center. Michael Kemper, the Chief of Transit at the Police Department, shared these details during a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon. He explained, "As the train was departing the station, she was forcibly pushed, causing her to strike the moving train. Subsequently, the train left the station, and she fell onto the tracks."

Kemper continued, "Fortunately, there were eyewitnesses and compassionate individuals on the platform who immediately came to her aid, helping her back onto the platform from the roadbed."

The police have identified the suspect as Sabir Jones, aged 39, who fled the scene on foot and exited the station at the West 53rd Street and 5th Avenue turnstiles.

Although Chief Kemper did not provide specific information about Jones' criminal history during the press conference, he mentioned that Jones is known to law enforcement within the subway system. Video surveillance from the MTA station, along with the accounts of witnesses and Good Samaritans, aided in the identification of the suspect and the assistance of the victim.

Witnesses reported that the suspect appeared to be speaking to himself before pushing the woman. The Bowery Residents' Committee, an organization offering homeless outreach services in the subway, confirmed that Jones had been observed multiple times in the course of their outreach activities, according to a person with access to Jones' social service records.

During the press conference, Janno Lieber, the MTA Chair, acknowledged the significant strides made in combating subway-related crimes. According to the NYPD, there have been 15 reported incidents of individuals being pushed onto subway tracks in 2023, compared to 22 incidents recorded at the same time the previous year.